Gov. Scott and others on the Hertz announcement

Gov. Rick Scott and Hertz CEO Mark Frissora held a press conference at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the company's announced relocation to Estero. Video courtesy of the Office of Gov. Rick Scott

Video courtesy of the Office of Gov. Rick Scott

Florida Gov. Rick Scott on Monday, March 25, 2013.

Naples Daily News

Gov. Rick Scott: "It is great news for Florida that Hertz has chosen Lee County to relocate its corporate headquarters. These 700 jobs, along with opportunities for continued growth in Southwest Florida, will make a big impact across the Sunshine State. We are proud to say that Florida is not just a top destination for vacationers, but for growing businesses from all around the world. We have a diverse and highly-skilled workforce, no personal income tax and pro-business attitude. We have had an incredible economic turnaround in the past two years with the creation of nearly 300,000 private-sector jobs. Our economic formula in Florida to create jobs and opportunities for families to succeed is working and it is clearly why Hertz chose to relocate here. We worked closely with Hertz to make this relocation a reality and we look forward to their continued growth in the Sunshine State."

Hertz made the decision to relocate to Florida following its recent acquisition of the Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, which is currently headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Consolidating the corporate offices to one location will allow for increased efficiencies and cost synergies across the company. Additionally, access to the Florida travel and tourism population will position the company for long-term growth.

Hertz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark P. Frissora: "After our recent business expansion, we have been looking for the right location to blend Hertz and Dollar Thrifty head office employees. Florida is the center of the U.S. travel and tourism industry – this move enables us to be closer to leisure and business customers, as well as many travel and association partners. As part of this move, we will open off-airport and retail car sales stores on our headquarters campus, which will enable us to experiment with new services and monitor customer satisfaction first hand. Additionally, Florida provides ready access to a vast and diverse talent pool, including 3,000 of our own employees, as we grow our businesses. Lee County, on the Southwestern Gulf Coast of Florida, is a well-established travel destination with tremendous growth potential, with easy access to other leading tourism markets including Orlando, Miami/Fort Lauderdale and Tampa/St Petersburg."

Secretary of Commerce and president & CEO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. Gray Swoope: "This is an incredibly important accomplishment for Southwest Florida as well as the entire state. When a Fortune 300 company chooses to move its headquarters to a state and create so many high-wage jobs, it shows confidence in the state's ability to compete. Hertz recognizes the very favorable business climate the Governor has created and they want to grow here. I want to thank the Governor, Lee County, the Lee County Industrial Development Authority, Workforce Florida, the Southwest Florida Workforce Development Board, and the Fort Myers Regional Partnership for working with EFI in making this project a success."

Florida Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio: "When a corporate headquarters of a Fortune 300 international company like Hertz chooses Florida, it is a recognition that Governor Scott's pro-growth economic policies are working. Because of Hertz's decision to relocate to Florida, many families in Lee County will have new opportunities for economic prosperity."